Weather kit for military vehicles



July 7, 1964 P. A. FAIR ETAL WEATHER KIT FOR MILITARY VEHICLES 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1963 mvmoxs, I H. #4

Fair

ATTORNEY- July 7, 1964 p, F ETAL 3,139,797

WEATHER KIT FOR MILITARY VEHICLES Filed Oct. 21, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS/ Q Paul 3211'! Howard fl M 3% ATTORNEYS.

July 7, 1964 P. A. FAIR ETAL WEATHER KIT FOR MILITARY VEHICLES 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 21, 1965 INVENTOR;

27a] H. J21? you I'd Huff BY fi g J M ATTORNEY July 7, 1964 P. A. FAIRETAL WEATHER KIT FOR MILITARY VEHICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 001;. 21,1963 mk/ RN INVENTORY Pa u] f 1752 f/owa r0 ill/2177a ATTORNEY).

United States Patent 3,139,797 WEATIMR KIT FOR MILITARY VEHICLES Paul A.Fair, Faliston, Md., and Howard I. Huff, Mickieton, NJL, assignors tothe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyFiied Get. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 317,848 11 Claims. (Cl. 89-36) (Grantedunder Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention describedherein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for theGovernment for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of anyroyalty thereon.

This invention relates to means to provide one or more seats and ashelter for riders on normally seatless and topless vehicles. Theinvention is particularly applicable to military vehicles and animportant usage of the invention is on self propelled weapons. Currentself propelled weapons while they may provide forward enclosures for thedriver and observer or gun captain make no provision for the gun crewwho ride atop the vehicle in exposed relation to the elements or on aseparate truck. It is essential at times that the crew be with thevehicle to insure the weapon being placed into action with a minimum ofdelay in an emergency. The nature of a self propelled weapon, such as ahowitzer, requires that it be exposed on top of the vehicle withammunition available in top opening magazines so as to be readilyavailable. Any usual collapsible top shelter if collapsing forwardlywould either obscure the drivers vision or that of the gun pointer. Inlike manner if such a top were rearwardly collapsible it would interferewith the loading of the gun and/or might be in the way of the recoil ofthe piece.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the invention to providea novel shelter means for one or more crew members or riders, whichshelter is adopted to have an operative position on top of the vehicleand a collapsed position alongside of the vehicle.

A further object is to provide a shelter comprising a flat base, meansmounting the collapsible shelter on the base, hinges hinging the base tothe vehicle for movement from an operative position atop the vehicle toan inoperative position alongside the vehicle.

A further object is to provide in combination with such a shelter, novelseat means on said base for one or more riders or crew members.

A further object is to provide with such a combination a novel back restwhich is foldable to an inoperative position when the assembly is movedto its non-use position.

Other objects and a dvantages reside in the specific structure of theinvention, the structure of the several elements thereof, combinationsand sub-combinations of such elements with each other and/or with thevehicle mounting the same, all of which will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing and tothe following specification wherein the invention is shown, describedand claimed.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having the invention appliedthereto, the parts being shown in the shelter-providing positions;

FIGURE 2 is a view like FIGURE 1 but showing the parts in inoperativepositions;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a preferred formof seating arrangement parts being shown in section;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of FIGURE 3 parts being omitted and partsbeing shown in section;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view showing a catch forsecuring a shelter in the operative position;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view and shows one of the hingemeans for securing the base to the vehicle;

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view showing means for securing the basein the operative position;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe plane of the line 8-8 of FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe plane of the line 99 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURES 10 and 11 are fragmentary vertical sectional views showingdetails of a shelter, the same being shown in the raised position.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like parts in all views, and referring at first to FIGURES 1and 2, 12 designates any suitable vehicle such as a self-propelledweapon having any suitable body 13, running gear 14 and mounting thereonany suitable weapon such as the field piece 15. The latter includes oneor more hydraulic recoil cylinders 16 and the top of body 13 may beformed with a raised engine cover fairing 17 and one or more ammunitionmagazine or wells 18. In the species illustrated, the inventioncomprises a pair of shelters 19 which, when in use, are located atop thevehicle body 13 on opposite sides of the piece 15. The shelters 19 aresubstantially identical so it will suffice to describe but one of them.Each cover is formed of two pieces, a smaller rear section 20 and alarger front section 21. Each section 20, 21 is formed mainly of opaquewater impermeable material such as coated cloth. The front sections 21also include rear, side and front windows 22, 23 and 24 respectively ofany suitable flexible transparent plastic material. The front and rearsections 21, 20 are supported by bows 25 of any suitable tubular metal.The ends of the legs are pivotally connected in a manner readilyunderstood to side plates 26 fixed to a base frame 27, to be describedlater. As best seen in FIGURE 5 those bows 25 and 25 which abut whensections 20, 21 are raised can be connected together by any suitablespring catch 28 mounted on bow 25 Catch 28 may have a cam surface 29which engages a striker 30 carried by bow 25 so as to be automaticallytripped as the bows 25 and 25 come together. Release is achieved bymanually withdrawing latch 28 by its finger-piece 31. Obviously, manyother means for readily releasably connecting together bows 25 and 25will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

The side plates 26 on which bows 25 are pivoted are fixed in anysuitable manner to the upright flanges of metal angles forming the frame27. As best seen in FIGURES 10 and 11 such frame 27 is suitably shapedto fit over the engine cover fairing 17 and the inside legs 25 of thebows of the forward shelter section 21 are shaped to avoid the recoilcylinder 16 of the weapon 15.

Two seats 32 and 33, best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, are mounted on frame27. In the embodiment illustrated, seat 32 faces forwardly and seat 33faces rearwardly. The seats 32 and 33 are mounted on leaf springs 34 and35 respectively. The remote ends 36 and 37 of the springs are formed asbearings and are pivoted on front and rear journal portions of crosspieces 38 and 39 which are fixed across frame 27. Fixed stops 40, 41 oncross pieces 33, 39 retain the bearings 36, 37 in central positions onthe journal portions.

The adjacent ends of springs 34, 35 are likewise formed as bearings 42,43 and are pivoted on journals 44, 45 which are fixed in the lower endsof pairs of links 46, 47. The upper ends of links 46, 47 are overlappedand pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 48 which is fixed between twouprights 49' which are fixed to a central cross piece 50'. Cross piece50 is fixed to frame 27 and extends across the same. Thus, as springs34, 35 are flexed the lower ends of links 46, 47 swing back and forth ina manner readily understood to provide resilient mounts for the seats.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, a common backrest 51 is provided for the seats32, 33. Such backrest 51, may comprise front and rear cushions 52, 53which are fixed atop an upright 54. The lower end of upright 54 isformed as a bearing 55, FIGURE 9, which is journalled on a shaft 56which extends between the uprights 49 aforesaid above the shaft 48. Anysuitable spring loaded detent 57 may be used to readily releasablysecure upright 54 in the back rest providing position. For instance, inFIGURE 8, detent 57 seats in spaced sockets 59 in shaft 48 under theinfluence of spring 58, which has one end fixed to bearing 55 and theother end secured to the detent in any well known manner.

As best seen in broken lines in FIGURES 3 and 8 release of the detent 57permits the back rest 51 to be folded forwardly into seat 32.

The frame 27, when in the operative position is horizontally disposedontop of the body 13. Hinges 60 connect the outside of each frame 27 tothe body 13 at the outermost limits of the latter. Laterally inwardlyextending bifurcated ears 65, see FIGURES 4 and 7, are fixed to theinside of each frame 27. These are engaged by bolts 66 which are pivotedto the top of body 13. Wing nuts 67 engage the ears 65 to secure frame27 in the operative position.

As best seen in FIGURE 6, each hinge 60 is a double hinge. That is, itincludes two laterally spaced and parallel pivots. Thus, one leaf 61 isvertically disposed and fixed to the outside of body 13 at itsintersection with top wall. The upper edge of leaf 61 is hinged as at 62to the lower edge of a second leaf 63, the upper edge of which is hingedin turn as at 64 to the upper edge of the frame 27. The purpose of thisarrangement will be apparent later.

In operation, with the parts in the operative positions of FIGURE 1, theriders release the latches 28 and lower the shelter sections 20, 21 tothe positions shown at the left in FIGURE 2. Then the detent 57 isreleased to permit the seat back or back rest 51 to be swung to theinoperative position shown in broken lines in FIGURES 3 and 8. The wingnuts 67 are now loosened and the bolts 66 are swung out of engagementwith the ears or lugs 65. Each assembly of base 27, collapsed shelters20, 21, seats 32, 33 and folded back rest 51 is now swung on hinges 60through 270 until it hangs in the vertical inoperative position shown atthe right in FIGURE 2. The double hinge 60 is now extended to the brokenline position of FIGURE 6 whereby the collapsed assembly lies flatlyalongside of body 13, which is a position which could not be achieved byan ordinary single hinge. Note too, that the weight of the assembly willcause it to retain this position although suitable readily releasablefasteners, not shown, can be used if desired. For instance, pivotedbolts like 66 could be attached to the sides of body 13 and engaged withears 65 to secure the assemblies in the inoperative positions.

Another feature of the invention is that when the assemblies are securedin the inoperative positions, the folded seat back 51 and the collapsedshelter sections 20, 21 are pressed against the sides of body 13 wherebythere is no need to secure them in the folded or collapsed positions.This feature saves considerable time in both erecting and inactivatingthe assembly.

It should be noted also that the assemblies can be activated andinactivated without the use of tools, does not require special skillsand can be done by personnel under blackout conditions and while wearingprotective hand coverings. Also, the assemblies may be readily appliedto standard vehicles with no substantial modification of the latterexcept for the addition of the hinges 60 and fasteners as 66.

Moreover, while there has been shown and described what is now thoughtto be a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understoodthat the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Therefore,We do not consider the invention to be limited to the exact structureshown and described hereinabove but only as hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. The combination with a vehicle, and a weapon mounted on said vehicle,of at least one rider shelter, said shelter comprising an assemblyincluding a flat base, at least one rider seat and a rider shelter,mounting means mounting said shelter assembly on top of said vehicle atone side of said weapon, means mounting said seat atop said base, saidseat including a seat back, means mounting said seat back for movementfrom an upright back restproviding position to a relatively flatinactive position, said shelter including means for collapsing the samefrom a raised shelter-providing position covering said base and seat toa relatively flat collapsed position, and said base assembly with saidseat-back and shelter in said inactive and collapsed positionsrespectively being movable on said mounting means from an operativehorizontal position atop said vehicle to an inoperative verticalpoistion alongside said vehicle.

2. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter, said shelter comprising an assembly including aflat rigid base, at least one rider seat and a rider shelter, hingemeans mounting said base on said vehicle at one side of said weapon,means mounting said seat atop said base, said seat including a seatback, means mounting said seat back for movement from an upright backrest-providing position to a relatively flat, inactive position, meansmounting said shelter atop said base, said shelter including means forcollapsing the same from a raised shelter providing position coveringsaid base and seat to a relatively flat collapsed position, and saidbase assembly with said back rest and shelter in said inactive andcollapsed positions respectively being swingable on said hinge meansfrom a horizontal operative position atop said vehicle to a verticalinoperative position alongside said vehicle.

3. The combination with a Vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter, said shelter comprising an assembly including acover, a flat rigid base, a pair of rider seats, means mounting saidseats on said base in longitudinally aligned back-to-back relation, acommon back rest for said seats, means mounting said back rest on saidbase for pivotal movement from an upright back rest providing positionto a relatively flat inactive position, means mounting said cover atopsaid base, said cover including means for collapsing the same from araised shelter-providing position to a relatively flat collapsedposition, hinge means mounting said base on said vehicle, and saidassembly with said back rest and cover in said inactive and collapsedpositions respectively being swingable on said hinge means from ahorizontal operative position atop said vehicle alongside said weapon toa vertical inoperative position alongside said vehicle.

4. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter, said shelter including a roof portion formed tocollapse from a raised shelter providing position to a substantiallyflat collapsed position, means mounting said shelter on said vehicle atone side of said weapon, and means for moving said collapsed shelterfrom a substantially horizontal position atop said vehicle to asubstantially vertical inoperative position alongside said vehicle.

5. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter, said shelter being formed to be collapsed froma raised shelter-providing position to a substantially flat collapsedposition,

hinge means mounting said shelter atop said vehicle at one side of saidweapon, and said shelter being swingable on said hinge means from asubstantially horizontal operative position atop said vehicle to asubstantially vertical inoperative position alongside of said vehicle.

6. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter assembly, said assembly comprising a pair ofseats and a roof portion, means mounting said seats on said vehicle atone side of said weapon in longitudinally aligned relation, said roofportion being formed to be folded from a raised roof-providing positioncovering said seats to a substantially fiat collapsed position, andmeans for moving said assembly with said roof portion in said collapsedposition from a substantially horizontal position atop said vehicle to asubstantially vertical inoperative position alongside of said vehicle.

7. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter, said shelter including a fiat base, acollapsible roof portion on said base, said roof portion being adaptedto be collapsed from a raised shelter-providing position to asubstantially fiat collapsed position, means mounting said shelter atopsaid vehicle alongside said weapon in a substantially horizontaloperative position, and said last means including means for positioningsaid base and shelter in a substantially vertical inoperative positionalongside said vehicle, and said roof portion being disposed betweensaid base and said vehicle when said shelter is in said inoperativeposition.

8. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; of atleast one rider shelter, said shelter including a flat base, acollapsible roof portion on said base, said roof portion being adaptedto be collapsed from a raised shelter-providing position to asubstantially flat collapsed position, means mounting said shelter atopsaid vehicle alongside said weapon in a substantially horizontaloperative position, and said last means including double hinge meanshinging one side of said base to said vehicle, said double hinge meanscomprising means for moving said base and collapsed roof portion to asubstantially vertical inoperative position flatly alongside saidvehicle with said roof portion positioned between said base and vehicle.

9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said hinge means comprises doublehinge means whereby said seats and collapsed shelter are positionedflatly against said vehicle when said assembly is in said inoperativeposition.

10. The combination with a vehicle having a weapon mounted thereon; ofat least one rider shelter, said shelter comprising an assemblyincluding a collapsible cover, a fiat rigid base, a pair of rider seats,a leaf spring for each seat, means mounting said seats centrally of saidsprings, said seats being arranged in longitudinally aligned backto-backrelation, said seats having adjacent and remote ends formed as bearings,fixed means including journal portions extending across said base, saidremote ends of said springs being journalled on said journal portions,movable journal means pivotally engaged with said bearings of a saidadjacent ends of said springs, means mounting said movable journals forfore and aft movement relative to said base, means mounting said coveratop said base, said cover including means for collapsing the same froma raised shelter-providing position to a relatively fiat collapsedposition, hinge means mounting said base on said vehicle, and saidassembly with said. cover in said collapsed position being swingable onsaid hinge means from a horizontal operative position atop said vehicleto a vertical inoperative position alongside said vehicle.

11. The combination of claim 10, there being a common back rest for saidseats, means mounting said back rest on said base for pivotal movementfrom an upright back rest providing position to a relative fiat inactiveposition.

No references cited.

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A VEHICLE, AND A WEAPON MOUNTED ON SAID VEHICLE,OF AT LEAST ONE RIDER SHELTER, SAID SHELTER COMPRISING AN ASSEMBLYINCLUDING A FLAT BASE, AT LEAST ONE RIDER SEAT AND A RIDER SHELTER,MOUNTING MEANS MOUNTING SAID SHELTER ASSEMBLY ON TOP OF SAID VEHICLE ATONE SIDE OF SAID WEAPON, MEANS MOUNTING SAID SEAT ATOP SAID BASE, SAIDSEAT INCLUDING A SEAT BACK, MEANS MOUNTING SAID SEAT BACK FOR MOVEMENTFROM AN UPRIGHT BACK RESTPROVIDING POSITION TO A RELATIVELY FLATINACTIVE POSITION, SAID SHELTER INCLUDING MEANS FOR COLLAPSING THE SAMEFROM A RAISED SHELTER-PROVIDING POSITION COVERING SAID BASE AND SEAT TOA RELATIVELY FLAT COLLAPSED POSITION, AND SAID BASE ASSEMBLY WITH SAIDSEAT-BACK AND SHELTER IN SAID INACTIVE AND COLLAPSED POSITIONSRESPECTIVELY BEING MOVABLE ON SAID MOUNTING MEANS FROM AN OPERATIVEHORIZONTAL POSITION ATOP SAID VEHICLE TO AN INOPERATIVE VERTICALPOSITION ALONGSIDE SAID VEHICLE.